Jeju-style 4th Disaster Relief Fund to be Paid Possibly Before Seollal Holiday

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters (Jeju) Reporter Park Chang-won] Jeju Province and the Provincial Council have agreed to promptly provide the Jeju-type 4th Disaster Emergency Support Fund.

According to Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on the 20th, Governor Won Hee-ryong and Council Chairman Jwa Nam-su decided to support the Jeju-type 4th Disaster Emergency Support Fund through the "Joint Agreement from Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council to Overcome the COVID-19 Crisis for Residents" at the first permanent policy council meeting of the year held the previous day.

This permanent policy council meeting was organized to alleviate the suffering of the residents caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and to foster a cooperative relationship for the prompt protection of socially vulnerable groups left in blind spots.

Governor Won and Chairman Jwa agreed to provide the "Jeju-type 4th Disaster Emergency Support Fund" as quickly and effectively as possible before the Lunar New Year holiday to support residents who have endured hardships such as gathering bans and business restrictions due to strengthened social distancing measures following the third resurgence of COVID-19, and who actively cooperate with quarantine policies, especially those in blind spots struggling for survival and livelihood.

Governor Won said, "In this ongoing crisis, I believe it is the responsibility of the province and the provincial council to ease the burden of suffering borne by the residents even a little," adding, "The reason for holding the permanent policy council meeting together at the start of the new year 2021 is precisely to overcome the difficulties of the resident community together."

He continued, "Although all residents are willingly enduring excruciating pain and actively cooperating with quarantine policies, we must prioritize saving residents standing on the brink of survival, especially the vulnerable groups," and added, "Along with discussions on prompt and effective support, we will closely discuss with the provincial council ways to overcome the residents' crisis, such as deferral of repayment and relaxation of criteria for the three major funds."

Chairman Jwa said, "Even at this moment, the suffering of the residents continues, and the magnitude of that suffering is truly difficult to bear," adding, "I came here without considering political gains or losses with the sole hope that the provincial council and the province could wipe away the tears of the residents as soon as possible, even if just a day earlier or a little sooner."

The Jeju-type 4th Disaster Support Fund is basically designed to provide more substantial support than the government support funds, so support is expected to be provided first to industries currently subject to gathering bans.

An additional 500,000 KRW will be provided to small business owners who received the government's 3rd support fund in industries subject to gathering bans and business restrictions.

Measures to provide support at a level equal to or greater than that for business-restricted industries were also discussed for industries affected by the Jeju-type Level 2 Plus Alpha (+) quarantine measures. Travel agencies, other tourism businesses, cultural artists, charter bus and corporate taxi drivers are also included as support targets.

In addition, along with the prompt support of the three major policy funds ? the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund, the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Promotion Fund, and the Tourism Promotion Fund ? institutional improvements such as interest rate reductions, repayment deferrals, relaxation of support criteria, and simplification of payment procedures will be implemented to recover the local economy hit by COVID-19 and prepare for a leap forward after the pandemic.

The joint agreement includes a phrase stating that the Provincial Council will support the smooth implementation of provincial policies, and Jeju Province will carry out innovative and proactive administration for residents, marking "a starting point toward a higher level of cooperative relationship."

Recognizing the importance of public healthcare during the prolonged COVID-19 phase, they also pledged to strengthen the public healthcare system. They plan to cooperate in protecting residents' lives and safety by promoting the development of Jeju-type scientific quarantine policies and preparing in advance for rapid vaccination.